High School Stars: Roberts sisters shine for Coronado

Monica Roberts, left, and Miranda Roberts add double the power for the Coronado Thunderbirds volleyball team. The two are not only standout players, but standout sisters. (Mark Lambie / El Paso Times)

Ever since a young age, sports have taken center stage for Miranda and Monica Roberts.

Being so competitive has helped them develop as athletes and has given them an outlet to achieve success.

First, it was soccer that was their favorite sport and they did well. But the came volleyball, and they excelled. The sisters are standouts on the city's No. 2 Coronado High School team. Miranda, 18 and a senior, has been a star for four years on varsity, while Monica, 15 and a sophomore, continues to flourish in her second year on varsity. Both are leaders on the court, guiding the Thunderbirds especially at the net -- Miranda has 365 kills this season, while Monica has 323.

"I started playing volleyball ball in middle school and the game just felt right for me and I fell in love with it," said Miranda, a 6-foot outside hitter. "Monica is a follower, and of course she had to do what I did, so she joined volleyball, too. I'm glad she did. We've gotten to play together the past two years and it's been special. I don't know what we would do without sports. It's our lives, it's what we love and what we look forward to."

Monica, who stands 5-foot-9, is also an outside hitter. She has enjoyed her time on the court with Miranda. The sisters, who are captains on the team, constantly look to each other for guidance, as well as support.

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"Miranda is a good leader," Monica said. "She is someone I look up to and can lean on. When we both started volleyball, we practiced with each other all the time when we weren't with our team. It's made us better. I'm a little shorter, so I have to use my athleticism and jumping ability to my advantage. Miranda is bigger and has a lot of experience which helps.

"We just both love playing the game and we want to win real badly, but we also have fun, which is important for us. If we didn't have fun, we wouldn't be out here."

REPORTER

Felix Chavez

Monica and Miranda come from an athletic family, where they say they learned to compete and appreciate sports. Mom Gina played high school basketball for Coronado, graduating in 1979, and Dad Craig played rugby at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc. Brother Adam is a junior tight end for San Diego State.

"The first word out of Miranda's mouth was ball," Dad said laughing. "Both Miranda and Monica, as with our whole family, just love sports. We are very supportive of each other."

"It's ironic to see Monica and Miranda both at Coronado," Mom said. "It's great to see them get a chance to play at a high level and also to see them get the opportunities that they are getting. Women's sports have come a long way since I played. When I played basketball, we only played halfcourt.

"We tried piano lessons with the kids and some other things, but it always came back to sports. It's a natural for them."

Monica and Miranda also count on their brother for motivation. Adam was a standout for Coronado as a tight end and is a past El Paso Times' All-City performer, earning his way to the next level.

"Adam worked so hard to get where he is today," Miranda said. "We see what he's accomplished and that pushes us to be the very best we can be in both school and sports."

And they are the best and getting better. Coronado coach Raul Lawrence knows just how talented the sisters are.

"Miranda has really stepped up her play each year and she is a steady player for us. Her effort has always been there," Lawrence said. "Monica is a really talented player who is getting better all the time.

"Miranda has been on varsity all four years and Monica has a chance to do the same and that says a lot about their dedication and willingness to sacrifice.

Felix Chavez may be reached at 546-6167.

Miranda Roberts

Position: Senior on the Coronado High School volleyball team.

Of note: Miranda has been on varsity all four years; was an El Paso Times' All-City honorable-mention selection last season.

Monica Roberts

Position: Sophomore on the Coronado High School volleyball team.

Of note: Had 30 kills earlier this season in win over Franklin and 20 kills in win over Eastlake.

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